Bikes and people in all shapes, sizes and colors enjoyed the food, music, and rest stop at Spring CafĂ© last Sunday during the Saint Paul Classic Bicycle Tour.  
The Carts are Coming (and the Bills, too)
Photo: WCCO
District 10 residents should receive their shiny new garbage carts this week, absolutely no later than next Friday, Sept. 21, Public Works says. You should see your first quarterly bill (for October, November and December) from your new hauler -- also by the end of this week, if it hasn't happened already.

With the transition to coordinated trash collection two weeks away, you can find all kinds of information from the city's website, including an interactive map that tells you which hauler will serve your home. Here's the short version of what Como residents need to know:
  • Current haulers are supposed to serve current customers until the end of September. Continue using your current cart until your trash is picked up on its current schedule during the week of Sept. 23.
  • After trash is picked up that last week of September, then (and only then) start using your new, black city cart.
  • For District 10 residences west of Hamline and north of the railroad tracks, trash day will be Mondays, beginning Oct. 1.
  • For District 10 residences east of Hamline or in Energy Park, trash day will be Fridays, beginning Oct. 5.
  • Recycling day remains Fridays in all of District 10.
  • Store your current trash cart outdoors in an accessible place -- but don't use it. Haulers are supposed to pick up the old carts between Sept. 24 and Nov. 2, but won't pick them up if there is trash in them.
A Google Earth view of Como Lake earlier this week. From that distance, at least, you can't smell it. (Thanks to D10 resident Gordon Wrobel for the image.)
In This Case, Being Green is Not Good
When Como Lake is greener than the golf course across the street, it's clear we've got a problem. That's what happened this week, because of another algae bloom in the lake. And that's why the Como, Hamline-Midway, and Macalester-Groveland district councils are challenging each other to see which neighborhood's residents can adopt more storm drains. 

In our neighborhood, keeping storm drains clear of leaves, trash, and other debris -- and doing so year-round -- directly improves the water quality of Como Lake and connected waterways. Here's how to adopt one or more drains near your home, school, organization, or business:
  • Go to www.adopt-a-drain.org. Create an account.
  • After you create your account, type in your address and click "Find storm drains." The site will generate an interactive map of all the storm drains near your address. Be patient; it may take a while -- and you may have to move the map around -- for drains to populate the map.
  • Red means the drain is available. Green means someone already has it.  Pick one or more of the available drains to adopt. (You can even name your drain!)
District 10 Board Meets Tuesday
The District 10 Como Community Council board holds its monthly meeting this Tuesday, Sept. 18. No guest speakers are scheduled, but you can get an advance look at the agenda. The meeting begins at 7 p.m. at the Como Park Streetcar Station, which is at the northeast corner of Lexington and Horton. All renters, homeowners, and other community members are welcome to attend and participate.

Office closed: District 10's office is closed until Monday Oct. 1. However, the Streetcar Station will be open as usual from noon-4 Sundays, during the monthly board meeting, and during the Sept. 26 Environment Committee meeting. 
Keeping an Eye on Trees
If you've had a boulevard tree planted in the past year -- and the new tree did not survive -- it will be replaced, the city's Forestry division promises. You don't need to call it in; the city does track the health of new trees, then replaces them while they are still covered by their one-year warranty. Dead trees likely will be replaced this fall.

Also, if your newly planted tree still has a stake attached, do not pull it yourself. The city monitors the stakes and leaves some in for as long as two years.

Doomed trees: Forestry crews have begun marking ash and other trees in Como Park that will be removed this winter. If you see a green or orange X, that's what's up. The city expects to cut down 218 ash trees total, likely beginning in November.
A crew from the contractor Safety Signs laid down new striping tape this week in the crosswalk at Maryland, Wheelock and Como Blvd.
Road Work Will Happen
Everything seems to be running behind schedule, but local road work projects are still happening, city and county staff tell us:
  • Construction of the new crosswalk between the lake side of Lexington Parkway and the golf course side could begin this week. Work is expected to take three days; the stretch of Lexington between the golf course and north Pavilion parking lots will be closed (though access to the lots will remain open from the south and north, respectively).
  • The mill-and-overlay resurfacing of Como Ave. between Lexington Parkway and Hamline Ave. should start this week and last most of the rest of September. Parking will be banned on much of the street during much of the construction, and traffic won't be much fun, either.
  • Crews hope to visually extend the Como Ave. bike lanes across Dale St. by applying high-visibility green striping -- if not this week, certainly by the end of the month.
  • Also, restriping to reconfigure the lanes on Lexington Parkway between Orchard and Como/Horton should happen this week.
  • Maryland Ave. east of Dale likely will close this week in install sewer connections for the new Habitat for Humanity residences being built near Willow Reserve.
Seeding the Future
Saint Paul Natural Resources leads a Seed Squad event this Thursday, Sept. 20, at the Como Woodland Outdoor Classroom. All seeds collected will be sown later (or propagated and planted) to increase diversity for wildlife and pollinators on public lands.
Anyone age 10 or older can participate. Staff and skilled volunteers will lead the activity, explain the seed-collecting process, and assist in identifying plants. All the tools you need will be provided.

The seed gathering runs from 5-7 p.m.; meet at the Kilmer Memorial Fireplace off Wynne west of Lexington. Volunteers should drop in when they can and stay as late as they want. Pre-registration is appreciated.
The suicide prevention walk attracts thousands of participants. 
The Paths Will Be Crowded
Last weekend, bicyclists inundated the park. This weekend, it's runners and walkers.
  • Saturday Sept. 15: The Heart and Sole Walk/Run to benefit Camp Odayin. Registration begins at 8:30 a.m. at the Lakeside Pavilion; the 5K run and 2.5K walk begin at 9:30. Entry fee: Teens and adults, $35; children ages 6-12, $25.
  • Sunday Sept. 16: Out of the Darkness Walk, sponsored by American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. Registration begins at 8:30 a.m. at the Midway Parkway picnic pavilion; the 3-mile walk begins at 11 a.m. Free-will donation. Shuttle buses run between 7:15 a.m. and 3:15 p.m. from the State Fairgrounds parking lot south of Como Ave.
In Case You Need Another Reason
Ramsey County sheriff's deputies are carrying out extra patrols for the next 10 days, focusing on enforcement of seat belt and child seat violations. 
Library Has the Answers
The Saint Paul Public Library's Back to School programs are back in session. They include:
  • Homework Help, available at Rice Street, Rondo, and four other branch locations.
  • Live tutoring, available online daily from 1-11 p.m.
  • Reading Together, which offers once-a-week mentoring for pupils in grades 1-5 who are reading below grade level.
  • Createch, which provides space and tools in five locations for teens to explore their creative sides.
  • Library Go, where students can download books, music, and more -- even practice questions to get their drivers permit.
Get Rid of Hazardous Waste for Free
Ramsey County is setting up a mobile hazardous waste collection site every Friday and Saturday in September. The site is open 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Fridays and 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturdays, in the Como Ave. parking lot across from the Fairgrounds.

If you've got solvents or other chemicals that say Caution, Warning, Danger, or Poison on the label, those are good candidates. So are batteries, cell phones, fluorescent bulbs, gasoline, mercury thermometers, paint, propane tanks, and used motor oil and filters. Disposal is free.  See the complete list of what you can bring (or call 651-633-3279 24 hours a day).
Spring Café Scales Back (Slightly)
Now that peak season is over, Spring Café in the Lakeside Pavilion is closed Mondays. But the restaurant intends to retain mostly normal hours the rest of the week: 11 a.m.-9 p.m. weekdays, 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays. (Also during "off season," the grab-and-go menu is gone.) Meanwhile, there are a few more days of free music:
  • This Sunday, Sept. 16: Walker West's 30th Anniversary Celebration, 3 p.m.
  • This Monday, Sept. 17: BARd Shakes' presentation of "Winter's Tale," 6 p.m.
  • Saturday Sept. 29: Beer Choir Oktoberfest, 4-7 p.m.
Fairgrounds are Back in Action
  • Minnesota 4-H Horse Show: Today-Monday, Sept. 14-17, Warner Coliseum, AgStar Arena, Horse Barn, and Livestock Area. Hours: 7 a.m.-11 p.m. Friday-Sunday; 7 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday.
  • Model Railroad and Hobby Sale: This Saturday, Sept. 15, Education Building. Hours: 9 a.m.-3 p.m.
  • Motorcycle Swap Meet: This Sunday, Sept. 16, parking lots north of Hoyt. Hours: 7 a.m.-2 p.m.
  • Metro Transit Bus Roadeo: Through this Thursday, Sept. 20, parking lot south of Como.
  • Park-and-Ride Shuttle for University of Minnesota football game: This Saturday, Sept. 15, Robin Lot south and east of Randall. Gophers play Miami of Ohio at 2:30 p.m.
Nothing's Slowing Down
  • This Saturday, Sept. 15: Citywide Drop-Off, 8 a.m.-1 p.m. Washington Technology Magnet High School, Rice and Nebraska. Get rid of the junk you can't throw in the trash. To volunteer, call 651-488-4485.
  • This Monday, Sept. 17: Metropolitan Council public hearing on its proposed Regional Park Policy Plan, 4 p.m. 390 N. Robert St. (Written comments can be submitted until Thursday Sept. 27.)
  • This Thursday, Sept. 20: Candidate forum for Minnesota House District 66A, 7-8:30 p.m. Roseville City Hall, 2660 Civic Center Drive (near Lexington and County Road C). District 66A is the area of Como that is east of Hamline and north of Hoyt, and the area west of Hamline between Hoyt and Como Ave. Candidates are Alice Hausman and Jon Heyer. Sponsored by League of Women Voters. 
  • Next Saturday, Sept. 22: Burglary Prevention Open House, 9 a.m.-noon. Western District police headquarters, 389 N.Hamline.
  • Next Saturday, Sept. 22: Marydale Festival, noon-5 p.m. The celebration of the newly renovated park on Dale St. includes food trucks, artists, live music, a beer garden, and kids activities including a puppet show, face-painting, and more.
  • Saturday Sept. 29: Citywide Drop-Off, 8 a.m.-1 p.m. Shepard Road between Davern and Alton. Get rid of the junk you can't throw in the trash. To volunteer, call 651-695-4005.
  • Saturday Sept. 29: Como Senior High School Homecoming. Parade begins at 10:15 a.m.; picnic and homecoming activities (including food trucks, kids activities and more), 11 a.m.; football game, 1 p.m.
That's a Lot of People
National Night Out in Saint Paul broke a record on Aug. 7, with a total of 405 events, including 60 first-time parties.

Spread the Word
District 10 is one of Saint Paul's 17 citizen participation districts. The District 10 Como Community Council is a nonprofit organization, governed by a Board of Directors who are elected by members of the community. The Council's mission is to inform, educate, and connect the neighborhood to increase community pride and confidence. 

You are receiving this email because you expressed interest in District 10 activities.